Reflections about Contemporary Christian Belief and Practice

Thanksgiving 2016

On November 19th, fifty-three years ago, in preparation for Thanksgiving, which would be on November 28th, President John F. Kennedy ceremonially pardoned a turkey in the White House Rose Garden. Just three days later, he would be assassinated. JFK had been scheduled to give an address at the Trade Mart in Dallas that fateful November 22nd. Here are some excerpts from that address, which have a contemporary socio-cultural significance in politics as well as religion:

In a world of complex and continuing problems, in a world full of frustrations and irritations, America’s leadership must be guided by the lights of learning and reason or else those who confuse rhetoric with reality and the plausible with the possible will gain the popular ascendancy with their seemingly swift and simple solutions to every world problem.

There will always be dissident voices heard in the land, expressing opposition without alternatives, finding fault but never favor, perceiving gloom on every side and seeking influence without responsibility. Those voices are inevitable

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We cannot expect that everyone, to use the phrase of a decade ago, will “talk sense to the American people.” But we can hope that fewer people will listen to nonsense. And the notion that this Nation is headed for defeat through deficit, or that strength is but a matter of slogans, is nothing but just plain nonsense….. Above all, words alone are not enough. The United States is a peaceful nation. And where our strength and determination are clear, our words need merely to convey conviction, not belligerence

. Happy Thanksgiving! We have so much for which we can be truly grateful.

Now that Trump stirred up and got the attention of these blue-collar, working-class voters. I am hoping they will join unions and gain power to hold his feet to fire and get infrastructure jobs, raise in minimum wage and other benefits. These people have been left behind by current insular Democrat party for too long. Party needs complete overhaul starting with Pelosi.